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7.06.2012

Making A Difference Guest Post

Today I'm posting at the Character Educator {here} and I'm thrilled to welcome Vanessa, a K-5 school counseling colleague from North Carolina. Vanessa is a Disney fanatic and is always fantasizing about her next trip to see THE MOUSE or walking along the beach of Disney's private island - Castaway Cay! She is the mother of one beautiful daughter and one playful miniature schnauzer. When she's not working, Vanessa enjoys singing and spending time with extended family. She is the author of the Savvy School Counselor blog where she shares lesson ideas, her favorite counseling literature and resources, and other creative tips for school counselors. She is National Board Certified and offers and ongoing blog series of tips and suggestions for candidates pursuing National Board Certification in school counseling.

Making A Difference by Vanessa Allen

I love plants! I’ve never really had a green thumb necessarily, but I have found a
couple of species that I’d have to almost set fire to for them to die. Since I’ve discovered them,
they’re all I buy. I have eleven
plants scattered throughout my house. I water them, make sure they have appropriate sunlight, and re-pot the
ones needing more room to grow.

As I was watering my plants the other day, I noticed one of
them looked a little more wilted than the others. I thought about how just supplying water would make a
difference for that plant. That
plant needed someone to care for it and to help make things better just like
the students I come in contact with everyday at my school.

Students sometimes show up to school looking “wilted”
because of their day-to-day experiences. My job is to check in with them in an effort to help them feel supported
and able to cope with their circumstances. It happens regularly, and I, like most school counselors, do
what I have been trained to do to help my students. Moreover, I truly care about their well-being and want to
make a difference in their lives.

School counselors help students dozens of times throughout
the academic year without a need for praise. Once in a while, however, we get a glimpse into how
our work has benefited a student. For me, that glimpse came when a student wrote how I made a difference
in her life because I always told her class never to give up and gave good
advice. Another glimpse was when a
teacher told me how appreciative a student’s parents were because I worked with
their child in a small group during their divorce.

Well, as Barbara once said, affirmations and appreciations
can positively turn your life around. My third glimpse did just that!

It was the last day of school this year when the mother of
one of our fifth graders approached me. Before saying a word, she placed her hand on her heart as tears came to
her eyes. Now, I am a big cry
baby; I get teary eyed watching a touching Hallmark commercial! So, it took all I had not to begin
crying too. She went on to thank
me for being there for her son during the six years he had attended our
school. She was especially
thankful for me supporting him after her stroke a year before. She went on to say, “They need you
here. What you do here is
important.” This affirmation
helped solidify the importance of the work we as school counselors do every
day, and it really touched my heart. We don’t do what we do for fanfare or accolades, but simply because we
love and care for the students at our schools.

It’s wonderful to see students who were once distressed
become, like my plant, stronger, resilient, and able to stand the test of time.
Often, it takes awhile to see the results of our assistance. Yet, when we do see the results, it
makes what we do everyday worthwhile. When it’s all said and done, it feels so good to know you’ve made a
difference!

A HUGE thanks toVanessa for taking time out from her summertime R and R to share some words of wisdom with us.

Thanks for sharing, Vanessa! You are so right - we often don't get affirmations and appreciation for our jobs, so when we do, it is like a burst of beautiful! Hope you are enjoying some fun and getting some rest! Barbara, I can't tell you how much I lean on you for ideas, inspiration and encouragement! I learned SO much in your session on empathy in February and am hoping to share it with our staff members in August!Blessings to both of you!!Becky Kahn

So glad I stopped by to read this post! I love the analogy of a student in need to a wilted plant. I think counselors are a godsend and I'm so blessed to work with a good one - your post reminded me to TELL her that next time I see her!

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About the Author

I'm a school counselor, character coach, and author in Friendswood, Texas who hopes that you'll find something that will positively inspire, intrigue or influence you while you're here. Thank you for stopping by the Corner; stay for as long as you'd like and enJOY.